Afer much ballyhooing from the stands -- and promises from community members to jump in and raise some dough -- College of the Redwoods plans to bring back baseball.

The college's 46-year-old intercollegiate baseball program was benched a couple years ago, in one of the college's budget-trimming moments. Men's soccer was cut, too, and so far the college hasn't announced its reinstatement. (Women's soccer also took a seat last fall, but that was because the program couldn't get enough players; a person on the phone today at CR's athletic department said unofficially that women's soccer is back and "they're heavily recruiting right now.")

Defenders of the baseball and soccer programs attended a recent board of trustees' meetings -- coaches noting the worthiness of athletics for young minds and bodies, high school soccer players pining to be on the CR team, former players, and others.

Baseball's comeback will depend mightily on those fundraising promises, said a news release from the college, to pay for such things as "equipment, field improvements and travel."

Ante up, ball fans.

And here's the news release:

College of the reinstates baseball program for 2013-14
    
College of the Redwoods will reinstate its intercollegiate baseball program for the 2013-14 academic year following a two-year hiatus.
"We are pleased to bring back our baseball team which has had a proud record dating back 46 years," said CR Athletic Director Joe Hash. "CR has had a significant number of community members express an interest in fundraising to help the college maintain a sustainable program. We will be working with them to do that."
CR suspended baseball two seasons ago due to budgetary concerns. A community fund-raising partnership will be a key component to helping the program become successful, Hash said. Expenses that need additional fundraising assistance include equipment, field improvements and travel.
The team will be led by CR Head Baseball Coach Bob Brown, who is entering his 14th season at the helm. He will be immediately contacting North Coast high schools to start the recruiting process of bringing the best local players to play for the CR Corsairs. 
"As we continue to analyze our programs, reallocate our resources, and refine our offerings, we must take advantage of the expertise we currently have on staff," said CR President Kathy Smith. "Coach Brown is a long-time CR faculty member with 14 years' experience as head baseball coach.  It is in the college's best interest to put him back into a position where he excels and where he will continue to help students succeed."
Brown encourages coaches or players to contact him if they are interested in playing baseball for CR. Brown's phone number is (707) 476-4239 and his email is [email protected]